Foundation Course: Museum Learning

Bookings now open for Foundation Course Winter 2024!

Led by Course Director Pete Brown, the GEM Foundation Course on Museum Learning virtually explores a variety of topics relating to learning in museums, heritage and cultural settings, from access and inclusion to interpretation, from management to evaluation, interrogating different ideas and approaches to help you develop your skills and understanding.

Since the course first opened in 2015, participants have discovered new direction, succeeded in finding employment, produced exciting projects, and made change in their organisations. Each participant receives a year-long personal GEM membership to continue the learning and sharing beyond the course. 

Facilitated Zoom lectures, online activities, curated discussion groups, virtual or physical cluster museum visits as well as networking with peers will be part of this online course which is now even more accessible to GEM members all over the world.

What will I gain?

GEM’s Foundation Course in Museum Learning will provide you with opportunities to develop, practise and demonstrate the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to be a museums and heritage educator. 10 live sessions complete with virtual visits, guest lectures and skills workshops will guide you towards completing a work-based assignment that will benefit not only you but your organisation too.  You’ll be supported by an experienced course director, a group of like-minded peers, and a professional mentor within the sector.

“It was a fantastic course and has helped improve my confidence in the workplace. As the only person in charge of education, it has been great to have support and know that I am doing a good job. My mentor has been amazing, and if anything, having them has been the most beneficial part of the course.”

“Attending the course meant actually progressing some of the ideas for content and delivery of our learning programme, something that might otherwise not have progressed as far. The connection with my mentor has also been extremely beneficial and has helped progress my ideas and understanding massively.”

“I have managed to put so many of the great ideas the course gave me into action and lots more to come over the next few months.”

Who is it for?

GEM’s Foundation Courses are intended for those in their first year or so of their museum education career; or for those working in a different part of the heritage sector but wishing to take up an education position.  Since this course is work-based, it is a requirement that applicants should be working or volunteering in the museums, heritage and cultural sector.

When does the course take place?

The course will take place over 10 weeks from November 2024 to January 2025.

Dates:

November 7, 14, 21, 28
December 5, 12
January (2025) 9, 16, 23, 30

This year the GEM Foundation Course will be hosted on our new Online Learning Platform, via Teachable.com. This will enable participants to access course materials in one central space, with a secure login, easy-to-follow course structure, and the ability to track progress week-on-week. Each week there will be videos to watch, activities to complete, and a one hour live session hosted on Zoom.

During the course, participants complete a work-based assignment, which should be completed a month after the last virtual lecture.

Course fee?
The course fee is £680 per participant for GEM members and £800 for non-members. Bursary places available, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Please note that a £30 fee applies if you cancel your booking.

GEM is happy to work with individuals to create a flexible custom payment plan. To enquire about a suitable payment plan for you, please contact the GEM Office at [email protected] / 01634 553620

Who runs the course?
Pete Brown, the course director, is a museum learning professional with over 20 years’ experience, including responsibility for CPD and organisational development at senior management level and for devising and running training courses for learning, curatorial and visitor services staff.

Do you wonder if this course is for you?  Our course director, Pete Brown, tells us a little bit more about the course and who it’s for.  

How do I apply?

Book your place

Have a question?  Please email [email protected]

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